Focus Scripture: “But even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give You. Jesus said to her, your brother will rise again. Martha answered, I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;” – John 11:22-25
{Even Now: A 7 Day Devotional Through the Life Changing Miracles of Jesus}
Day Six: When All Hope Seems Lost (John 11:1-44)
Have you ever been in a situation where you spoke some seemingly hopeless words out loud? You have called out to God in faith for that healing and it never came. You prayed so much for that surgery to be successful, but your child still died. You believed strongly for that financial miracle, but going through each day remains a struggle. Your hope is fast fading away and you are barely hanging on a thread. And then the words begin to play in your head – Does God really care? Why is my life full of struggles and challenges? Lord, if you had showed up to help me early enough, I would not be in this mess?
Martha spoke similar words to Jesus when he showed up after her brother’s death. She said to Jesus – “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Martha’s hope was already crushed and nothing could convince her at that moment that her brother, Lazarus would be restored back to life.
Sometimes, it is okay to pour your heart out before God. His ears are open to hear where you are hurting. Martha believed that God’s presence would have stopped her brother’s death. She said to Jesus – “But even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give You.” But that belief did not include her brother coming back to life. So, even when Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again’, Martha spoke instead of the second coming of Christ.
There are things that will happen in your lives in ways that you may never fully understand. Those events or situations leave you feeling hopeless and wondering if God really cares about you or even loves you. Or perhaps, you are questioning your faith in God in relation to the challenges in your life right now. But here is one thing to always remember – God’s power and presence is strong enough to draw you out from deep waters of hopelessness, lack, loss, failure and despair. And even when it feels like all hope is lost, Jesus wants to bring light and life into your darkness. Lazarus died, but that was not the end of his story – God’s glory had to be revealed.
Jesus spoke these words in response to Martha’s doubt , “I am the resurrection and the life” – John 11:25. I love how God’s word translation puts it – ‘I am the one who brings people back to life, I am life itself.’ What a powerful revelation of who God is. You have a heavenly father who is a giver, sustainer and restorer of life. Not only does God own our lives, he gives life to our broken places, he sustains us in our darkest hours and restores life to our dead places.
He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. – Psalm 18:16
Are you locked away in the darkness of the tomb? Lazarus was dead and buried for four days. Yet, when Jesus showed up, the bible tells us that Jesus wept and was deeply moved. Martha spoke her doubt out loud, and Jesus said to her – ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’ Let these words sink deep into your heart today – if you believe, God’s glory will be revealed in your pain, disappointment, loss and dark places.
What is that dream that seems buried and forgotten in your life? What is that challenge facing you that seems hopeless and unresponsive? What have you lost that feels like there is no hope of ever finding joy or peace in your life? Jesus is right here and calling you out of that darkness, loss, grief and despair. Will you respond to his call today?
- Dead dreams and buried hopes will respond to the voice of God. (Joseph’s story – Genesis 37-50)
- Dead situations can receive life in the presence of God. (The Valley of Dry bones – Ezekiel 37:1-14)
- Death is not the end for the believer – we have a life with God forever. (Jesus said those who believe in me will live even if they die – John 11:25
Prayer: Lord, I praise you for giving me life and sustaining my life so far. Take away the doubts in my head and help me to believe again. I pray for grace and strength to walk through this darkness. I ask for comfort as I navigate the loss and painful seasons. Lord, draw me out of the deep waters of hopelessness and fill my heart with faith to hold on. I declare that in the midst of all that I am going through that I will see the glory of God. Amen!
Faith Challenge: God’s word is a light unto your path. Today, ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you from his word. Write down those scriptures and begin to speak light into the dark places and spaces in your life.
Image by Airgil Daviss from Pixabay
So much Insight in this post I loved reading it
Powerful post, dear friend! This right here —> “God’s power and presence is strong enough to draw you out from deep waters of hopelessness, lack, loss, failure and despair. And even when it feels like all hope is lost, Jesus wants to bring light and life into your darkness. Lazarus died, but that was not the end of his story – God’s glory had to be revealed.” God is still writing my story and I am taking the limits off of Him this year!
Amen! Thank you for this redemptive reminder, friend!